The letters of the answer to the first part of the clue can be transposed to form the answer of the second half of the clue. If you find the first part of the clue is elusive then switch to the second part and work your way backwards

Example: transpose a garment into a tiresome person -> robe - bore

All solutions are 4 letter words.

= 1. Transpose a piece into engrossed= 2. Transpose a cover into a snare= 3. Transpose ascent into a father= 4. Transpose bygone into bicker = 5. Transpose an actor into a leader= 6. Transpose a pretentious painter into a food serving device= 7. Transpose askew into watchful= 8. Transpose a tree trunk into a rounded projection= 9. Transpose a body part into a black color = 10. Transpose an evil spirit into spiny-finned fish